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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. S. ANGELL.

COTTON CHOPPER No. 406,157. Patented July 2, 1889.

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(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2.

J. S. ANGELL. COTTON CHOPPER.

No. 406.157. Patented July 2, 1889.

wiinessefir Invenfiror UNTTEB STATES PATENT OFFICE;

JOSEPH s. ANGELL, or FULTON, ARKANSAS, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF TO ADOLPHUS n. GALLOWAY, or SAME PLACE.

COTTON-CHOPPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of- Letters Patent No. 406,157, dated July 2, .1889.

Application filed March 1, 1889. Serial N0.30l,600. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH S. ANGELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fulton, in the county of I'Iempstead and State of Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cotton Chopping and Cultivating Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to an improvement in cotton chopping and cultivating machines; and it consists in the construction and arran gement of parts hereinafter described, and definitely pointed out in the claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple machine for cultivating and chopping cotton, one which will be easily operated and perform its duty in an efficient and satisfactory manner with but little effort on the part of the operator. I attain this object by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views, and in which Figure 1 represents a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a rear View. Fig. 4 is a detail viewof the swinging frame and tooth-support. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the axle. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the tooth-supporting circle. Fig.7 is a detail view of a cutter.

In the drawings, A represents the two wheels, and B the axle, which, as shown in detail in Fig. 5, is formed of rods bent up into substantially a V shape, its upper portion being composed of two parallel parts Z), which are united at their ends. On the skeins are placed movable collars b, which are held in place by suitable set-screws. By this arran gement the wheels may be adjusted either in or out to regulate the gage to suit rows of diiferent widths. Secured on the top of the axle is the supporting-beam O, the end of which forms the tongue 0' its rear end forming the support for the seat D. Mounted on the beam C directly over the axle is a rectangular box or casing E, having a spiral spring E in its interior, through the center of which passes a vertical rod E, which extends through the bottom of the box and the beam 0 and up through the top and projects formed into a hook.

beyond the same for a short distance. The lower end of this rod has a head e formed thereon, and the upper end has two collars e e rigidly secured, respectively, above and below the top E of the box. The top E is unattached to the sides, and is permitted to work up and down in the box to force the spring down as pressure is placed on the top of the rod.

F represents a clip secured to the top of the front of the box, to which is secured by a suitable link the short arm of a lever F, which extends across the top of the box and is fulcrumed on the top of the rod E Its outer end extends beyond the box and is From this hook is suspended a frame G, having two parallel sides, the upper ends of which converge to form an eye, in which the hook is placed. This frame G is extended down to a point near the ground, and is permitted to be worked in all directions by virtue of the yielding rod E and the hook-connection.

To the lower ends of the sides of the frame is secured a circular disk or ring H, which has removable teeth h 011 its under, side, arranged in a manner to permit the passage of the young plants between the same. These teeth may be increased or decreased in number to suit the condition of the crop.

it represents fenders 0r guides, which are curved or formed to throw all weeds and grass to the center. They are located on either side of the teeth and are secured to the ring.

\Vhen it is desired to cut cotton or thin it out, I attach knife-blades or cutters, as 7L2, to pins 7L3, extending below the teeth. These are secured by nuts, and may be readily re moved when it is wished to cultivate. Ahandle, as g, is secured to the sides of the frame, and extends across the same and to the rear thereof in easy reach of the operator.

9' g representstirrups or foot rests, secured to the inner face of the sides of the frame, in which the feet of the operator are to be placed. I

I represents two turning-plows, the beams J' of which are attached to the axle near the wheels. They extend back and are located beneath the seat.

To prevent the plows from working laterally and to add rigidity to the structure, a U- shapcd yoke or coimccting-biace J is secured to the respective beams and extends obliquely upward. To the top of this brace is attached the lower end of a hand-lever K, which is pivoted on the supporting-beam adjacent to the seat, the long arm extending up in reach of the operator. A sector-rack 7c is secured 011 the beam adjacent to thelong arm of the lever, in which works a tooth secured to the lever for retaining it in its adjusted position. It will be observed that as the long arm of the lever is forced down it raises the short arm and consequently the plows. The reverse movement forces the plows into the soil.

To increase the stability of the plows, I extend out from the axle two arms L, which extend beyond the lever K and fit close on both sides of the short arm, so that any lateral movement of the same is prevented, the same being forced into contact with the arms.

The operation of the device above described is as follows: As the machine is drawn over the rows of cotton the operator, being in a position to observe the spots requiring attention either in cutting the cotton out orin cultivating the same, works the frame G down by pressure, the spring E yielding and allowing its easy descent. The teeth or cutters are thus brought into the proper position to perform their work, the operator moving the frame from right to letter forward and back, as necessity requires. The frame G is normally held in a position by the spring to clear the plants when not in use. By this construction it will be noticed that a conveniently-arranged, strong, and durable machine is produced, which can be operated with but little effort on the part of the operator.

I am aware that many minor changes in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my device can be made and substituted for those shown and described without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a cotton chopper and cultivator, the combination, with the axle and supportingbeam, of the box on the same, the spring-actuated rod in the box, the lever resting on the rod, the swinging frame on the lever having teeth on its lower end, and a handle on the frame, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the axle, the box E, the spiral spring in the box, the rod connected with the movable top of the box, the lever resting on the rod, and the frame G on the lever having teeth on its lower end and a handle and stirrups by which it is operated, substantiall y as described.

The combination of the axle, the box, the spring-actuated rod passing through the box, the lever resting on the rod, the frame, as G, suspended from the lever in the rear of the box, the seat in the rear of the lever, the plows below the seat attached to the axle, and the lever K, for moving the plows up or down, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with the frame and the spring-actuated rack G, of the ring on its lower end, teeth on the ring, and fenders, as h, on the ring outside the teeth, substantially as described.

5. The combination of the axle, as B, the supporting-beam (.1, the box E, the spring in the box, the movable top of the box, the rod extending through the box and secured to the top, the clip F, the lever F, the frame G on the lever, the ring on the bottom of the frame, the handle and stirrups on the frame, the two plows, the arch J, connecting the plows, and the lever K, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

J. ANGELL.

W itnosses:

W'M. TEMPLE,

.1120. \V. ()RTON. 

